by Louis Willis

Created on: August 02, 2008

In the greatest of the four novels his creator Arthur Conan Doyle wrote, Sherlock Holmes faces a formidable adversary in the legend of a huge, fearsome beast resembling a large dog prowling the forbidding and dangerous moor near Baskerville Hall. However, for him, the real "foe" against whom he pits his analytic genius in The Hound of Baskervilles is all too human.

The case of the Hound, as recorded by Dr. John Watson, Holmes's devoted friend and chronicler of his sleuthing adventures, begins in Holmes's office at 221 Baker Street. James Mortimer, a country doctor, requests Holmes's advice on how to protect Sir Henry Baskerville, the last remaining heir to Baskerville Manor. He describes the legendary curse that haunts the descendants of Hugo Baskerville.

Baskerville Hall is in Grimpen, a village in the county of Devonshire close to the moor. According to the legend, Hugo Baskerville kidnapped a young farm girl. One night she escaped while he was carousing with friends. He pursued her across the moor until both disappeared.

When his horse returned without its master, the friends went searching for them on the moor. They found both lying in a clearing. They were dead. Standing over Hugo and tearing at his throat was "a great, black beast shaped like a hound, yet larger than a hound."

Dr. Mortimer believes, whether the hound is real or an apparition, that Sir Henry is in danger because each heir who came into possession of Baskerville Hall died a horrible death. He explains that Sir Henry became the last heir after Sir Charles Baskerville was found dead at the gate leading to the moor, a place he would never adventure to set foot on because he believed the legend and was afraid. He had a bad heart and died from fear.

Dr. Mortimer confides to Holmes that he saw footprints near the body, which he did not tell the authorities. They convinced him that the legend of the beast on the moor was possible true, he says, because "Mr. Holmes, they were those of a gigantic hound!"

Holmes wonders if Sir Charles was afraid of the moor, why was he running toward the gate. This is one of several puzzles that intrigues and encourages him to take the case.

During a later interview with Dr. Mortimer and Sir Henry, Holmes becomes even more interested after he reads a letter sent to Sir Henry at his hotel warning him not to come to Baskerville Hall. One of Sir Henry's boots is also missing. He suggests that Sir Henry will be as safe in Baskerville Hall as he is in London, and that he should

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